"Mackal never actually saw the creature himself, although he did have a
close call whilst paddling down the Likouala river in native dugouts, his
group heard a loud 'Plop' and a large wake splashed up on the far bank. His
Pygmy guides cried out frightfully, 'Mokele-Mbembe!, Mokele-Mbembe!'.

"Both Mackal and his colleagues believed that only a large animal diving
under the water would have caused such a wake, as since hippos are not
present in the Likouala area, they felt that they narrowly missed seeing the
elusive creature."

Oh damn! And they were SO close!

Looks like Mokele-Mbembe is still a _nomen nudum_, while Dr Mackal and
friends continue in their quest for a type specimen.

Tim

P.S. I hope Dr Mackal is armed with a hefty thermometer to settle that
age-old debate, once and for all.
(Apologies to Gary Larson.)
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